Gap Year
"Gap time" is a year or semester that students take off typically before enrolling in college. It doesn’t have to be time hanging out at home -- "gappers" often work to save money, volunteer, intern, or perhaps study a language abroad.
Most students elect this time off because they don't feel prepared for college or they're looking for more life experience first. According to Jason Sarouhan, a counselor at Center for Interim Programs, a gap year consulting organization, gap years enable young people to gain more independence and self-empowerment. "The time between high school and college offers the natural opportunity to take a break and to recalibrate one’s focus and centeredness," he says, adding that young people can benefit from structured time away from school or work.
Plan Ahead
The best way to arrange a gap year is to gain admission to college and then request that admittance be deferred for a year, if the college supports this option. This step will usually require that a plan for the deferred year be submitted and approved. There are some colleges, however, that do have specific college sponsored gap year programs for admitted students, e.g. see Princeton. If you don’t get admitted to college before your gap year, then be sure to maintain contacts with your high school counselors in order to complete the admission process the following year.
Resources
General
Volunteer
Search for a Volunteer Position
Intern
Travel
Study Abroad/5th Year High School
International High School Programs
*PLEASE NOTE: These links and resources are just a sampling, listed for informational purposes and convenience. No direct or implied endorsement by Fairview High School should be construed.